Syracuse's national title-winning cross country coach Chris Fox has retired from college coaching, according to an announcement from Syracuse University.

Fox had served as the head coach of the men's and women's cross country teams, as well as leading the indoor and outdoor track and field programs at Syracuse since 2005. He elevated many of them into some of the best in the country.

He said in the announcement that he was leaving to pursue a professional opportunity.

"My time at Syracuse has been tremendous," Fox said in the statement. "I am not sure I can ever express my thanks to the administration for this opportunity at Syracuse. The young people I was fortunate enough to coach were the very best; however, I have an opportunity in the professional ranks that I could not refuse. I thank everyone involved with Syracuse athletics for what was accomplished."

Fox's time at Syracuse included a national title in men's cross-country in 2015. He coached two-time individual national champion Justyn Knight, a distance runner, and was in charge of the track and field program when hurdler Jarret Eaton won a national title in 2012.

The coach did his most memorable work in men's cross country.

Before Fox arrived, the Orange had not been invited to an NCAA championship in men's cross-country since 1974. The program finished the last three seasons ranked among the top seven in the country and has won eight consecutive conference championships, dominating in both the Big East and the ACC.

Fox was so impressive that even men's basketball coach Jim Boeheim said that he considered him the best coach at Syracuse University.

Associate head coach Brien Bell, who worked with Fox with the distance runners, has been named the interim head coach. Syracuse said a national search will begin to find Fox's successor.